God has recently been telling me, “Give it away” and that is just what I am doing! I’ve invited some beautiful souls from my favorite Facebook community for women in the 50+ season of life, The Consilium: a Gathering of Wisdom and Grace. Enjoy the words from their hearts and, if you don’t mind, would you leave a comment to encourage them? Feel free to join us over at The Consilium – we would love to see you there!
I would like to introduce you to Teresa Coelho
Beauty doesn’t fade as you get older, God refines our beauty so we become more defined by what He’s etched on our heart.
When you’re young you make choices without thinking of the long-term effects, the consequences that leave us exposed and having to live underneath the wreckage when it all comes undone.
For fifteen years I was a model in Orange County and Los Angeles, attention from this type of trade doesn’t keep one from struggling with self-esteem, in fact I think it makes insecurity manifest itself to the core of the human heart, questioning every part of your existence. I wanted desperately to be known and accepted just as I was and not for who I pretended I had to be.
I was hopelessly drifting believing that I wasn’t good enough, and I allowed those thoughts of superficial-beauty to define me. I was searching for what it meant to live a purposeful life but I was looking within the world, I didn’t know that there was a God that formed every part of me with His hands perfect.
I did the unimaginable and had breast implants, and then God grabbed my heart and began to write me into His story and I started sharing His hope at schools and churches to teen girls and women.
This generation, they need to know that God loves them just as they are.
There’s always more that God does behind the scenes He brings the hidden sins to the surface for us to face and I pretended that I was fine. I became wildly ill and I didn’t want the world to know that I was exhausted and in pain.
I was living two lives, encouraging girls to live content while I kept a secret from my past hidden. I realized I had to choose and remove the implants, and not replace them.
God healed me on the recovery table, I was completely restored…a miracle.
There’s more to beauty than looking youthful, it isn’t just skin deep, its heart deep. It’s where you find God, not just in the maturity of your skin but also in the maturity of your spiritual walk with Christ. With age comes wisdom when we’re willing to have our eyes opened and our heart humbled. When we say His name He brings us into His Presence and we begin to understand that wisdom comes from walking through years of our trials.
Walking with God is like walking on holy ground. I can hear God tell me that I’m enough just as I am even after the choices I made in my youth that have left me with scars and sun-kissed skin. I am finally free from the lies of our counterfeit culture, and strive to be an example for the next generation.
Teresa Coelho is a speaker and writer for today’s woman who seeks the freedom of who God originally created her to be.
Reflecting from her own experiences as a young woman modeling in the fashion world, Teresa learned the hard way about modesty and purity. By applying Biblical teaching to her life, she has been able to give and pass on to her own girls and hundreds of teens God’s truths for women and how distorted these views have become by today’s culture. You can find Teresa at Power of Modesty
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teresa, I love that you shared this story. It is beautiful and honest just like you. God gave you a special gift when hemade you a mentor of women. I love you so much!
you blessing me Sarah. I miss you too. Lets chat soon.
“Real Beauty – the God kind – isn’t just skin deep, its heart deep.” This is the honest to God truth. Preach it, sister, preach it. Blessings ~Chris~
Thank you Chris for your kind and encouraging words
Thank you for honestly sharing…such a needed message for women, young and old!
thank you Rosie.
“Beauty doesn’t fade as you get older, God refines our beauty so we become more defined by what He’s etched on our heart.”
Honestly deep and beautiful words here Teresa. I’ve always thought you were stunning…. and what you have shared here, reveal that your beauty goes to the core of your being. Appreciate you sharing. xo
Rhonda, thank you, I am humbled by your kindness.
Thank you for sharing so beautifully, Terri. I’ve had to see a plastic surgeon to remove a cyst on my face on several occasions, and as much as I love her and her staff, I always leave there feeling “less than” because of all the advertising they have in the exam rooms. My heart broke the first time I saw a poster at the check-out counter. It was strategically placed where anyone checking-out would not be able to miss it. It was an advertisement for credit, with the large, bold caption, “Now you can have the look you’ve always wanted.” I wonder how many women have gone into debt in search of that look they’ve always wanted only to discover that it brought no more lasting joy into their lives. Again, Terri, thank you for sharing your story.
Patricia – when i went in to meet with the surgeon they handed me a book of half-naked women asking me to pick a style of breast as a replacement. they just couldn’t wrap their mind around the idea that I was choosing to deform my body than “fix it.” i’m learning that testimonies aren’t always tied with a pretty bow, and i know exactly what you mean when you see the bold advertisements that beckon you to believe that outer-beauty is better. but trust me, it isn’t. When God says Whoa to you that questions His Maker…i’ve been humbled to not mock Him.
Patricia – when i went in to meet with the surgeon they handed me a book of half-naked women asking me to pick a style of breast as a replacement. they just couldn’t wrap their mind around the idea that I was choosing to deform my body than “fix it.” i’m learning that testimonies aren’t always tied with a pretty bow, and i know exactly what you mean when you see the bold advertisements that beckon you to believe that outer-beauty is better. but trust me, it isn’t. When God says Whoa to you that questions His Maker…i’ve been humbled to not mock Him.
A beautiful & transparent post for both young & old. Thank you for being brave & sharing your story! Blessings!
thank you Joanne
A much needed post for all women.
thank you Barbie
Dearest Teresa,
Thank You and Bless you for being so honest and vulnerable in sharing this private post! The things we are willing to do to ourselves in our youth? I pray you have a very Blessed Christmas! Hugs Dear Sister in Christ!
Marie, Merry Christmas to you as well! thanks for reading the post and leaving a kind comment and some hugs!